• INSIGHT
framing international discourse . Finally , international legislative requirements and developments are bringing into sharp focus States ' regulatory intentions around BHR , bringing additional considerations on extraterritorial legislation to African corporates ' compliance agendas .
A pivotal moment in 2023 was Webber Wentzel becoming the first Africa-based law firm to join the Business and Human Rights Lawyers Association ( BHRLA ). This underscores the team ' s commitment to global expectations and developments , and positions them at the forefront of important developments in the BHR legal landscape .
Key takeaways for businesses
• Corporate , operational and profit-stimulating imperatives are not incongruent with the responsibility to respect human rights , and are , in fact , inextricably intertwined .
• Context-specific nuances and regional considerations are crucial in understanding BHR responsibilities and practices .
• Lawyers play a central role in advising corporates on navigating the complexities of BHR principles and requirements ( both legal and quasi-legal ).
• Corporate duty of care obligations is evolving across the world .
A wave of awareness has washed over the continent , leading to concrete actions and the emergence of complex challenges , but also significant opportunities . Businesses are actively integrating human rights into their decision-making structures , conducting HRDD , embedding BHR governance frameworks , and partnering with responsible financiers and suppliers .
In the globalised and ever-evolving business landscape , companies that remain aware of key BHR trends , risks and challenges , and take proactive measures to adjust , will be the ones that remain resilient and reap long-term , shared value . The time is now for African companies to understand the import and application of BHR in their operations , business relationships and value chains , not only to prevent significant risks from eventuating but also to embrace opportunities for the continent and its people and positively exert their influence .
The UNGPs , regional developments surrounding the proposed international BHR treaty , and the impending implementation of mandatory due diligence regulations – all of which are anticipated to take shape in 2024 – make for an exciting future .
Listen to Webber Wentzel ' s Podcast : ESG : Business and Human Rights - A year in review and what to look out for in 2024 ( https :// www . webberwentzel . com / News / Pages / podcast-esg-business-andhuman-rights-a-year-in-review-and-what-to-look-out-for-in-2024 . aspx ) as Dela and Novotny explore insights and practical tips on navigating the BHR landscape in 2024 . •
Source Supplied by Webber Wentzel
A prominent theme emerged – the multifaceted approach clients are adopting to examine human rights in business practices , and the need to adjust and align corporate practices to BHR methodology .
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38 • African Mining • March 2024 www . africanmining . co . za